Russian Putin orders approval of Crimea’s request to join Russia federation

[AFP] Russian President, Vladimir Putin has backed the approval of a draft agreement which would incorporate Ukraine’s region of Crimea into Russian territory, according to an official instruction published Tuesday.

President Putin instructed the organs of power in Russia to approve Crimea becoming part of Russia and said it was “expedient to sign… the agreement at a high level,” according to the Kremlin instruction published on the official legal information website.

Crimean officials will be heading to Russia this afternoon and the nationalisation of Ukrainian government assets may begin shortly.

Crimea will join Russia's timezone and it will also introduce the ruble as an official currency.

The formal application to join Russia will be taken to Moscow soon.

Japan has on Tuesday said it would slap sanctions on Russia over its "deplorable" move recognising a Crimean vote to break away from Ukraine.

"It's deplorable that Russia recognised the independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, a move that violates Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the Japanese foreign ministry said in a statement Tuesday.


"Japan will suspend negotiations on easing visa requirements, and will not begin talks on a new investment accord, an outer space accord and an accord aimed at preventing risky military activities," it added, without elaborating.